Mark Flanigan,
B.HSc (Nutrition), B.HSc (Herbal Medicine),
Advanced Diploma (Naturopathy).       

DEPRESSION TREATMENT          
   ~  Natural  Alternative  Therapies  ~

Mark is a qualified Naturopath, with two Bachelors of Health Science (Western Herbal Medicine and Nutrition), and an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. He works from multiple locations around Australia, including the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Benalla, Wangaratta, Shepparton and occasionally Sydney. Mark also specialises in Natural treatment for Migraine Headaches. He has clients from other cities within Australia such as Cairns, Adelaide and Perth.

Depression

       Depression is classified by DSM-IV criteria as “poor appetite with weight loss, or increased appetite with weight gain; insomnia or hypersomnia; physical hyperactivity or inactivity, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, or decrease in sexual drive; loss of energy and feelings of fatigue; feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or inappropriate guilt; diminished ability to think or concentrate; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.” (Pizzorno et. al. 2002 p. 6) Diagnosis of depression is based on the presence of at least 5 of these symptoms, lasting for a minimum of one month. If 4 of the symptoms exist (for a minimum of 1 month) the person is diagnosed as probably depressed. (Pizzorno et. al. 2002).

       Depressive disorder is divided into two major categories: unipolar and bipolar. Unipolar is identified by depressive events that may commonly occur several times over the course of an individuals life. Bipolar depression, on the other hand, is characterised by periods of depression followed by periods of mania (commonly termed manic-depressive). The disorder usually occurs first as a typical low mood, and then develops into alternating episodes of highs and lows. (Balch & Balch 1997).

       The causes of depression are multiple and varied, one of the most common causes of which is believed to be food allergies or food intolerances. Other common causes are hypoglycemia, prolonged tension, stress, neurochemical imbalances within the brain, gastrointestinal tract disorders, poor dietary habits, traumatic experiences, thyroid disorders, excessive consumption of sugar, lack of exercise, mononucleosis, genetic disorders, poor coping skills, brain disease, amongst others. Another form of depression, seasonal affective disorder, occurs mostly during the winter period when exposure to the sunlight is typically reduced. This condition may also be associated with a state of hypomania during the summer months. (Balch & Balch 1997) (Pizzorno et. al. 2002).

       Natural treatment of depression involves treating the entire person, including any co-existing organic disorder that may be causing or contributing to the condition. Such conditions may be rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, cancer, low adrenal function, hypothyroid, heavy metal toxicity, liver disease, food allergies, hypoglycemia, PMS, nutritional deficiencies, sleep imbalances, hormonal disorders, infection (bacterial and viral) and many more. Even chronic constipation will lead to excessive toxicity within the body, and can subsequently contribute to depression. Other treatments include counseling, changes in lifestyle factors such as reducing or eliminating smoking, alcohol, and caffeine plus increasing exercise. (Pizzorno et. al. 2002).

       Nutritional supplementation for depression includes folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega 3 fish oils, particularly when they are high in EPA, L-Tryptophan, or preferably 5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP (which is a more metabolically active derivative of L-Tryptophan), plus Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and S-Adenosyl-methionine (or SAMe). Herbal treatments and remedies for depression include St Johns Wort, Kava, and Gingko. (Pizzorno et. al. 2002).

       Ginkgo is an excellent circulatory stimulant (which helps carry nutrients to the brain), and it is also a very powerful antioxidant for the brain. Ideally the herbs will be of very high quality, from a company such as Flordis or MediHerb. Flordis do produce one of the highest quality herbal extracts of St John's Wort, and also Ginkgo. In fact clinical trials have shown that good quality St John's Wort, such as Remotiv from Flordis, is even effective in some cases of Severe Depression.


References

   Balch J & Balch P, 1997. Prescription for Nutritional Healing - second edition.
   New York: Avery Publishing Group.

   Pizzorno, J., Murray, M., Joiner-Bey, H. 2002. The Clinicians Handbook of Natural Medicine.
   Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.